II
LOVE’S HERALDRY
I GAVE to thee at parting, dear, a rose,
Encrimsoned with the hue of Love’s warm lips,
But yet it faded when compared to those
Wherefrom my soul unfailing honey sips.
And thou didst plant it in the snowy lawn
Which veiled the purer treasures of thy breast,
As when we see o’er earth, by winter drawn
The white sky-covering in spotless rest.